《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 6

This is the sixth volume of The Great Method of the Supreme Clarity Lingbao Tradition. It belongs to the section on “cultivation and wearing the method.” The text was transmitted by the eminent adept Dongwei, the Perfected One who Opens the Light and Rescues the Suffering, and compiled by Wang Qizhen, a disciple of the Three Caverns of Supreme Clarity and inheriting master of the Lingbao teachings. “Cultivation and wearing” means practicing this method, wearing it, and putting it into practice.

In the beginning, the Most High (the Lord of the Dao) commanded the Celestial Perfected One to transmit the “True Method of the Inner Sounds of the Heavens” in the first year of Chiming, an epochal date mentioned in the Lingbao scriptures. This is the Lingbao tradition’s core secret teaching, said to be the sound of Brahma-Qi naturally generated throughout the heavens. It was used to stabilize the ten thousand heavens, establish the script of Heaven and Earth, and set the courses of the stars, sun, and moon. The ten thousand heavens, all the sages, and every kind of being and thing came into existence by receiving the power of the Most High Lingbao; they were able to take form through the true Qi of the Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning, and each was named according to its nature. Thus, this method can deliver and transform every spiritual being in Heaven and on Earth. All perfected sages who have attained the Dao came to realize the Great Dao by receiving the great Brahma-Qi of the True Method of the Inner Sounds. Those who study and practice in accordance with the method can all attain the way of ascending to Heaven and becoming immortals. The great sages, it is said, became sages through the True Method of the Inner Sounds.

The master said: “In Heaven and on Earth, once one has obtained this sound, nothing cannot be opened, no calamity cannot be averted through ritual power, no being cannot be delivered, and nothing cannot be accomplished. This is the naturally arising sound of the Celestial Perfected Ones, called the True Method of the Inner Sounds of the Heavens. It naturally brings Heaven and Earth, and the universe, to completion. When a person encounters this method, they must accord with Heaven above, with humanity in the middle, and with Earth below. Their conduct must be upright and well-rounded, their words must not harm other beings, and they must continually lessen their own interests to benefit others and provide aid. Only then can they practice the True Method of the Inner Sounds and naturally attain the way of ascending to Heaven. The Lords of Heaven, kings, and sages all attained their immortal offices through this method. It is wondrous and precious, equal in power to the heavens. A treasure by which Heaven delivers people, it is not lightly transmitted to the world below; hence it is called the ‘Method of the Inner Sounds.’ For this reason, the Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning transmits it to the world below only once every forty thousand kalpas, an immensely long measure of time. These eight sounds are the common standard of the heavens, the path of ascent to Heaven, the foundation of entering sagehood, the gateway to long life, and the great highway to Heaven. If a person encounters these sounds amid ten thousand kalpas, they can attain the Dao and ascend to Heaven themselves, and can also deliver the nine generations above and seven generations below—their ancestors across the generations—so that they too attain the way of the immortals. All sages and perfected beings in Heaven and on Earth attained the way of the highest perfected ones through this method. Thus these sounds deliver beings without limit and are the foundation of the ten thousand Ways.”

Practicing this method can lead one to attain the Dao and become perfected. The merit accumulated through it and the efficacy of its arts are beyond counting.

Since ancient times, this method has descended into the human world again only after four million years. Anyone who encounters it and practices it can travel alone through the Three Realms, ascend through the Golden Gate, and live as long as Heaven.

The instructions say: Those who cultivate life and seek immortality must write the jade characters in cinnabar on the tenth and fifteenth days of each month, on the dark moon (the final day of the month), and on the days of the first and last quarters. At dawn on each appointed day, swallow the characters with pure water. Take them on eight days each month; after four months, one full cycle is complete. Begin with the jade characters of the East, then proceed in order, repeating the cycle without end.

These jade characters are celestial script written long ago by the Celestial Perfected Sovereign. They are preserved in the Register of the Complete True Texts of the Inner Sounds of the Various Heavens. When wearing and taking the Eastern Inner Sounds, first use the following celestial names:

Danlou Ahui, Wuhe Guanyin—Great Yellow Emperor Zeng Heaven;

Xuyan Mingshou, Fal Lan Bodam—Great Bright Jade Completeness Heaven;

Jiana Ayi, Huhe Liuyin—Clear Bright He Tong Heaven.

On the tenth day of each month, at dawn, write the first, second, and third characters. Face the Ren direction (north), wear and swallow them, and recite the three-heaven incantation. If you follow the prescribed method for one hundred days, the hundred spirits will come naturally to pay homage. With long practice, you can attain long life and ascend to Heaven in broad daylight.

Huadu Quli, Xianpu Yuzhen—Mystic Embryo Peaceful Nurturing Heaven;

Daluo Dafan, Sanyan Qingyun—Origin Bright Literary Elevation Heaven.

On the fifteenth and final days of each month, write the fourth and fifth characters, face east, and wear and swallow them. Persist for twenty-four years, and you will attain the Dao, become an immortal, and live forever without dying. You will ascend to the celestial realm, whether before or after death, and dwell above the Southern Pavilion Terrace of the Imperial Lord, rising naturally to the Great Luo Heaven.

Feisa Yudu, Mingmo Shangmen—Supreme Bright Seven Luminaries Moyi Heaven;

Wuxing Shangshou, Huizhi Liuxuan—Emptiness Beyond the Balance Heaven;

Aduo Longluo, Sixiang Xuyu—Great Ultimate Veiled Heaven.

On the days of the first and last quarters, write the sixth, seventh, and eighth characters. Face the Moon as you swallow and wear them, and recite the incantation according to the prescribed method. After eight years of practice, your body will naturally shine with light and your face will take on a golden hue. Whether before or after death, you will ascend to the realm where the Sun and Moon dwell, become an immortal, live long, and endure as long as Heaven.

When wearing and taking the Southern Inner Sounds, use the following celestial names:

Nan Yan Dongfu, Yumu Shenshen—Red Bright Harmonious Yang Heaven;

Fanxing Luokong, Jiuling Tu Qian—Mystic Bright Respectful Splendor Heaven.

“Ze luo pu tai, lü luo da qian, yao ming zong, piao tian” is a celestial sound-name found in Daoist scriptures. On the tenth day of each month, at dawn, write down its first, second, and third characters. Wear them or carry them with you while facing the ren direction (north by northwest), and recite the three-day incantation according to the ritual. Keep to the prescribed practice for one hundred days, and the myriad spirits will naturally come to pay homage and protect you. You will attain the way of long life and ascend in broad daylight.

“Miao mang jiu chou, shao yao yuan zhan, zhu luo huang jia tian; yun shang jiu du, fei sheng zi qian, xu ming tang yao tian” is also a celestial sound-name. On the fifteenth day of each month, at month’s end, and on the second day of the month, write down its fourth and fifth characters and wear them while facing east. Persist for twenty-four years, and you will attain the way of agelessness and ascent. You may ascend to heaven before or after death, dwell above the Southern Pavilion and Wandering Hall of the Emperor Lord, and ultimately ascend of your own accord to the Great Luo Heaven.

“Na yu yu fu, mo luo fa lun, guan ming duan jing tian; hong chi wu jing, lan zi yun rong, xuan ming gong qing tian; fu lang kuo yi, shen ying zi gong, tai huan ji yao tian” is another set of celestial sound-names. On the waxing and waning moon days, write down its sixth, seventh, and eighth characters, and wear them facing the moon. Persist for eight years, and your body will shine with light and your complexion become golden. In life or after death, you may ascend to the immortal realm where the sun and moon dwell, attain the way of immortal longevity, and live as long as Heaven.

The following are the “Inner Sounds of the West”:

“Dao li chan you, po ni jiu tong, yuan zai kong sheng tian; wan sou di se, da miao zhi tang, tai an huang ya tian; liu luo fan meng, jing yu xiao yu, xian ding ji feng tian.” The practice for this set of sound-names is as follows: On the tenth day of each month, at dawn, write down its first, second, and third characters. Wear them while facing the ren direction, and recite the three-day incantation according to the ritual. Keep to the prescribed practice for one hundred days, and the myriad spirits will naturally come to pay homage and protect you. You will attain the way of long life and ascend in broad daylight.

“Yi miao wu ji, wan shou shao du, shi huang xiao mang tian; a lan yu zhu, hua mo yan you, tai huang weng zhong, fu rong tian” is also an Inner Sound of the West. On the fifteenth day of each month, at month’s end, and on the second day of the month, write down its fourth and fifth characters and wear them facing east, while reciting these sounds. Persist for twenty-four years, and you will attain the way of agelessness and ascent. You may ascend to heaven before or after death, dwell above the Southern Pavilion and Wandering Hall of the Emperor Lord, and ultimately ascend of your own accord to the Great Luo Heaven.

“Jiu kai zi bian, a na pin shou, wu si jiang you tian; wu liang fu gai, fu luo he shen, shang die ruan le tian” is a further set of Inner Sounds of the West.

The Shangqing Inner Sounds of the Flying Immortals—sacred sound-texts in the Shangqing scriptures and methods—describe the following practice:

On each waxing-quarter and waning-quarter day of the lunar month, write down the sixth, seventh, and eighth characters, then face the Moon and wear and ingest them. Continue for eight years, and the body will naturally shine with light and the face will become golden. Whether before or after death, one will ascend to the immortal palace where the Sun and Moon dwell, attain the Way of long life, and live as long as Heaven and Earth.

Practicing the Northern Inner Sounds:

Juewu ziju jiuri daoying, qianhao tingxiao du tian;

Kunmu dongfu xing, sheshang xuanyuan tong yuandong tian;

Tuoluo yumiao miaoqi, heyun taiwen hanchong miaocheng tian.

On the tenth day of each month, write down the first, second, and third true seal-script characters. At dawn, face the ren direction (north), wear and ingest them, and continuously recite the three-day incantation. Follow the ritual method for one hundred days, and the myriad spirits will naturally come to pay homage; the practitioner, too, will be able to ascend to Shangqing.

Practicing the Inner Sounds of the Flying Immortal Great Chou:

Zongjian shangtian taisu xiule jinshang tian;

Shatuo jieliang longhan yingxian taixu wushang changrong tian.

On the fifteenth day and the last day of each month, write down the fourth and fifth characters, face east, wear and ingest them, and recite them. Continue for twenty-four years, and one will become an immortal. Whether before or after death, one will ascend to the Heaven of the Great Sage.

Practicing the Biluò Inner Sounds:

Fuli kongge baozhen taishi yulong tengsheng tian;

Eyi wupin dongmiao zizhen longbian fandu tian;

Yuanfan huimo youji duren taiji pingyu jiayi tian.

On each waxing-quarter and waning-quarter day of the lunar month, write down the sixth, seventh, and eighth characters, then face the Moon, wear and ingest them, and recite them. Continue for eight years, and the body will naturally shine with light and the face will become golden. Whether before or after death, one will ascend to the palace of the Sun and Moon and live as long as Heaven and Earth.

All who practice the Great Dao should keep compassion in their hearts and save living beings. Even when regarding the myriad things, they should not become attached to them. They should keep the mind pure, conduct themselves with integrity and dignity, harbor no wicked thoughts, and do nothing crooked or unjust. They should purify themselves through fasting and abstinence, and often reflect on good deeds. In conversation, they should be modest and gentle; their words and actions should accord with the principles of Heaven and Earth. They should not speak in ways that harm others or disturb the harmony of Qi.

They should not eat meat or fish, nor kill living things for food. They should regard another person’s life as they regard their own, and, when seeing another’s faults, remember that they too may make mistakes. They should speak of another’s faults with the same care and restraint they would show in speaking a parent’s name. Only to people of this kind may the methods for ascending through the Inner Sounds of the Heavens be transmitted.

This is an exceedingly sacred method, transmitted only once in forty thousand kalpas. If someone today encounters this scripture and its methods through fortunate affinity, it shows that in a past life they already possessed the foundation for ascending to Heaven.

Set aside distracting thoughts. Wear and ingest these true scripts, and you will naturally be able to ascend to Shangqing, receiving the worship of the myriad gods and the reverence of the Earth Spirits. Those who serve the lineage of their master will have their names entered in the register. When their merit and virtue are complete, they may ascend to Heaven in broad daylight. This method must be kept secret.

Guard it carefully; do not transmit it to unsuitable people.

The True Scripts of the Five Sprouts

The master said: Lingbao has true talismans of the five directions. They are the red scripts of the ancestral Qi—the primordial breath that comes from the Great Dao—and are also treasures of spirit from Heaven. Within the human body, they govern inner vitality; outside the body, they manifest as five-colored lingzhi and summon the cloud-bud Qi of the five directions. When the Qi of the five directions is harmonized, it becomes true liquid and true water. In Heaven, these are the Five Elders, the Great Thearchs; in the scriptures, they condense as Qi and take shape as written characters, called the “True Scripts of the Five Sprouts”; in the five directions, they are the Five Thearchs; in the celestial phenomena, the five planets; in the geography of the world, the Five Sacred Peaks; in human affairs, the Five Constant Virtues; in the myriad things, the Five Phases; and in the human body, the five organs.

To cultivate the Lingbao Dao and the Dongfang method, a Daoist internal alchemy practice, one must ingest the true, vital Qi of the five directions and use it to refine the ordinary body. This is truly wondrous.

The Green Sprout True Script has twelve characters.

The Red Sprout True Script has twelve characters.

The White Sprout True Script has twelve characters.

The Black Sprout True Script has twelve characters.

The Yellow Sprout True Script has sixteen characters.

The five Qi and the True Scripts of the Five Sprouts above should be written in cinnabar on a black, lustrous board coated with gold lacquer. When performing the rite, first complete the ceremony of inviting Qi and the formal audience and memorial offering. Then recite the Dongzhang—a Daoist scripture or liturgical passage—inwardly before applying this method.

During the rite, face the corresponding direction, click the teeth together and swallow saliva three times, then bow inwardly three times. Next, activate the true Qi and perform the ritual steps. A rainbow radiance rises amid a hundred flowers, and cinnabar-red light comes to greet you. Press the tongue against the roof of the mouth and visualize the five-colored Qi turning into liquid. Swallow it down to the Chonglou, the “many-storied tower” of Daoist internal alchemy, meaning the throat, and send it into the Jiangong, the “crimson palace” of Daoist internal alchemy, meaning the area of the heart. It transforms into brocade patterns in the five colors, interweaving with one another and entering the talisman, where they become an infant formed from the primordial Qi of the Five Sprouts and condensed spirit-liquid.

This is the ancestral Lingbao Qi within the human body. Practitioners should cultivate it diligently.

Wearing the True Scripts

The master said: The internal alchemy method of the Five Sprouts invites the Five Thearchs and Five Spirits to descend as true Qi. One then wears the true scripts, allowing the corresponding deities to dwell within the five organs and thereby gaining the essence of the Five Sprouts.

Ordinarily, at cockcrow on the day of the Beginning of Spring, enter a quiet chamber and bow nine times facing east. Then sit upright and click the teeth together nine times. Visualize the Eastern Green Thearch, the Spirit of Awe and Might, who governs spring and the generative Qi of the east.

The Green Thearch is nine inches tall. He wears a crown of green jade and a robe of green feathers made from the nine Qi. He rides in a chariot drawn by a blue-green dragon, with a Ying banner held aloft. Attending him are ninety myriad officials of the Jia and Yi Hu elders. After descending briefly, he transforms into green Qi, like…

Cloud-like Qi (vital energy) has covered the whole body. It then enters through the mouth and reaches the liver directly.

Next, visualize Jupiter shining brightly in the east, its light illuminating you. Then open your mouth, recite the incantation nine times, inhale nine breaths of Qi from the east, swallow your saliva, and ingest the twelve characters of the Eastern True Text.

The incantation is:

“Supreme Origin, Highest Essence, August Elder Venerable Spirit of the Azure Heaven of the Nine Qi: clad in blue feather robes, you dwell in the celestial palace, your radiance illuminating the Year Star. You scatter fragrant Qi and cleanse my form. I absorb the dawn clouds and draw in the essence of Wood, strengthening and nurturing the tender shoots, preserving my aged body. My liver fills, and Jade Mushrooms grow of themselves; my years extend through countless kalpas, and my appearance returns to that of childhood. When the five breaths are harmonized, I unite with Heaven and Earth.”

At dawn on the day of the Beginning of Summer, when the rooster crows, enter a quiet chamber and bow three times facing south. Then sit upright and click your teeth three times. Visualize the Southern Red Emperor, Red Biaonu. He governs summer and is the master of the life-giving Qi of the south. He is three cun tall, wears a red jade crown and red feather robes formed from the Three Qi, and rides a jade carriage drawn by a vermilion dragon, with a multicolored banner standing upright beside him. In his retinue are three hundred thousand attendants, led by the officials of the Bing and Ding directions and the Yue Lao. After descending for a moment, the Red Emperor transforms into light that shines upon you.

Next, visualize Mars shining brightly in the south and illuminating you. Then open your eyes, recite the incantation three times, inhale three breaths of Qi from the south, swallow your saliva, and ingest the twelve characters of the Southern True Text.

The incantation is:

“Supreme Emperor of the Cloud Children of the Vermilion Palace, of the Cinnabar Heaven of the Three Qi: riding a red dragon and clad in vermilion feather robes and a brocade mantle, you shine with brilliance, command the numinous officials, and set Yin and Yang in motion. The Three Qi send forth their radiance, pouring into my Crimson Palace and calming the Red Child within. They refine and nurture fragrant splendor, making my appearance harmonious. At dawn I absorb the vermilion radiance; Jade Mushrooms fill my body, my lifespan is extended, and my decaying frame regains the countenance of youth. May I long enjoy the boundless lifespan of Heaven and Earth; within my body, Water and Fire aid one another, bringing transformations without end.”

At dawn on the day of the Beginning of Autumn, when the rooster crows, face west and bow seven times. After sitting upright, click your teeth seven times. Visualize the Western White Emperor, White Zhaoju. He governs autumn and is the master of the life-giving Qi of the west. He is seven cun tall, wears a white jade crown and white feather robes formed from the Seven Qi, and rides a jade carriage drawn by a white dragon, with a plain-colored banner standing upright beside him. In his retinue are seven hundred thousand attendants, led by the officials of the Geng and Xin directions and the Xuan Lao. After descending for a moment, the White Emperor transforms into cloud-like white Qi that covers you, then enters through your mouth and reaches your lungs directly.

Next, visualize Venus shining brightly in the west and illuminating you. Then open your eyes, recite the incantation seven times, inhale Qi from the west…

Visualize the Black Emperor of the North, Ye Guangji, who governs winter and presides over the generative energy of the north. He is five inches tall, wears a black jade crown and a robe of dark feathers imbued with the Five Qi, and rides in a jade carriage drawn by a black dragon. A black banner stands upright, and behind him follow officials such as Ren and Gui and the Elder of the Qiang, numbering five hundred thousand in all, as he descends. In an instant, black Qi takes form, like clouds and the light of a shooting star. It covers your body, enters through your mouth, and reaches the Palace of the Kidneys. Next, visualize the planet Mercury shining in the north and illuminating you. Then open your eyes, recite the incantation five times, draw in five breaths of northern Qi, swallow your saliva, and recite the twelve characters of the northern True Text.

Incantation:

Golden clouds of Qi open the sevenfold gates; pure, bright radiance shines upon the splendid realm of the west. There dwell the White Emperor and the household of the Origin. Riding a white dragon, the Seven Qi rise high and wander between the jade gates, sending forth vital essence like vermilion clouds. The planet Venus pours out its radiance, and fragrant numinous fungi fall in abundance like rain. Mysterious Qi enters my body and nourishes my plain sprout. The luminous stone shines with fresh brilliance and does not decay through ten thousand kalpas. Consume it as though drinking clear springs and drawing in the Qi of Great Harmony. The Lord of the Nine Heavens bestows jade radiance upon me, extending my years, preserving my youthful appearance, and making my brilliance manifest. May my life endure as long as Heaven and Earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Incantation:

The Five Qi of the northern, dark heavens emit numinous energy. Above is a great deity called the Primal Essence of the Beginning Elder. The deity rides a dragon and bears a banner, roaming for pleasure in the Jade Capital. This is an auspicious day, with abundant clouds of good fortune; numinous fungi dance through the air, sweet dew streams down, and both fill the four quarters. The mysterious Qi of the Jade Maidens joins with my body, filling and guarding the Palace of the Kidneys, making declining vitality firm and vigorous once more. The five organs receive the true Qi, which rises upward to connect with the spirits. The Five Elders descend to guide and receive me, and the immortal Way is soon accomplished. Water and fire transform; I am clad in a blue feather robe. I fly through the open sky and wander in the Purple Court. May my life span equal the Three Luminaries, and endure through ten thousand kalpas.

At each spring equinox, autumn equinox, summer solstice, and winter solstice, enter a room at cockcrow and face the direction whose Qi is then at its height. Bow twelve times, then sit upright and click your teeth twelve times. Visualize the Yellow Emperor of the Center, Containing the Pivot, who governs the flourishing Qi of the five directions. He is one foot and two inches tall, wears a yellow jade crown and a robe of five colors, and rides in a jade carriage drawn by a yellow dragon. A yellow banner stands upright, and behind him follow officials such as Wu and Ji and the Azure Dragon, numbering one hundred and twenty thousand in all, as he descends. In an instant, yellow Qi takes form, covering you like clouds, from…

Guide the intent downward from the mouth into the spleen chamber, the inner residence of the spleen. Then imagine Saturn at the center of the body, shining upon you. Close your eyes, recite the incantation twelve times, draw in the central Qi twelve times, and swallow the saliva. Ingest the sixteen-character central true text.

The incantation says:

The primal Qi of Central Mount Tai swirls and flows. Above, the Mysterious Elder commands the numinous spirits of the four directions. Riding with the Yellow Elder, clad in a five-colored feather robe, he travels the Great Dao through the nine heavens and turns the Jade Pivot, the hub of the stars’ movements. The Seven Stars shine brightly, scattering their radiance in all directions. The Qi of Jade Essence and fragrant fungi overflows toward the four quarters, washing my body and illuminating the spleen chamber. It nourishes the numinous sprout and draws in essential Qi, bringing the myriad spirits together as one. It restrains the hun and governs the po, tempering the Eight Powers—the divine might that protects the body—through the methods of the immortals, until both inner and outer are clear and bright, ever flourishing and undiminished. It opens the way to truth and numinous insight, and ascends to Taiwei, the celestial star palace.

Method for ingesting numinous fungus cloud-liquid

The master said: In spring and summer, ingest the cloud-liquid first, then the primal Qi; in autumn and winter, take the primal Qi first, then the cloud-liquid. For daily practice, ingest it at cockcrow, when the sky first brightens, facing southeast. Tap the teeth according to the number assigned to each direction: nine times for the east, three for the south, seven for the west, five for the north, and twelve for the center. Then rub the palms together until warm and use them to stroke the face and eyes. Next, recite the incantations according to the number for each direction, beginning in the east and completing one circuit. Then ingest the true liquid of the Five Sprouts in order.

Incantations of the Five Sprouts

Eastern green sprout, purple clouds and flowing rosy mists. Ingest the green sprout and drink the morning radiance. The green sprout corresponds to the liver; the morning radiance refers to saliva at the roots of the upper teeth. Move the tongue along the inner sides of the upper teeth, then lick the lips three times and rinse the mouth until it fills with saliva. Swallow in nine portions. Then draw in and swallow green Qi nine times, settling it securely in the liver.

Southern cinnabar, bright and radiant, swirling and flowing. Ingest the cinnabar and drink from the Cinnabar Pool. Cinnabar corresponds to the heart; the Cinnabar Pool refers to saliva at the roots of the lower teeth. Move the tongue along the inner sides of the lower teeth, then lick the lips three times and rinse the mouth until it fills with saliva. Swallow in three portions. Then draw in and swallow red Qi three times, settling it securely in the heart.

Western luminous stone, lustrous and pure. Ingest the luminous stone and drink the numinous liquid. The luminous stone corresponds to the lungs; the numinous liquid refers to the vital essence at the surface of the lips. Move the tongue along the outer sides of the upper teeth, then lick the lips three times and rinse the mouth until it fills with saliva. Swallow in seven portions. Then draw in and swallow white Qi seven times, settling it securely in the lungs.

Northern mysterious nourishment, the dark pearl moist and glistening. Ingest the mysterious nourishment and drink jade syrup, a liquid as sweet as jade…

“Dark Nourishment” refers to the kidneys, and “Jade Sweetness” refers to the tongue. Use the tongue to lick the inner side of the lower teeth, then lick the lips; do this three times. Rinse the mouth until it fills with “Jade Fungus,” the name given in cultivation to the fluids in the mouth. Then breathe and swallow five times. Next, inhale five mouthfuls of black Qi through the nose and swallow them, so that they guard the kidneys.

“Wuji” refers to the spleen, and “Great Mountain” refers to the forehead. Use the tongue to lick the inner and outer sides of the upper and lower teeth, then lick the lips; do this three times. Rinse the mouth until it fills with “Jade Spring,” meaning saliva, then swallow it in twelve portions. Next, inhale twelve mouthfuls of yellow Qi and swallow them, so that they guard the spleen.

When this is done, tap the teeth thirty-six times, swallow Qi thirty-five times, then recite the “General Incantation”:

“White jade rises high, flowing in due order; the source wells forth, utterly clear, like jade nectar. Drink it and you can attain long life and extend your years.”

After reciting, use the tongue to lick the middle of the upper and lower teeth until the mouth fills with Jade Fungus, then swallow three times. Next, draw in Qi twenty-five times; when the Qi is abundant, swallow it. This completes the practice.

Practice this method at midnight, during the Zi hour, and at dawn, during the Yin hour. At the other times—Mao, You, Wu, Shen, Si, and Hai, as well as the four Earth hours—take only one mouthful of “Numinous Sprout Jade Elixir” each time.

Method for Taking Primordial Qi

When taking Primordial Qi, keep the mouth closed and curl the tongue. Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose. When the mouth is full of Qi, the flanks and abdomen have expanded, and the cheeks are puffed out, swallow the Qi. Swallow it eighty-one times at midnight, sixty-four times at dawn, forty-nine times at breakfast, thirty-six times at noon, twenty-five times in the afternoon, and sixteen times at dusk. At the other hours, swallow it twenty-four times.

The scripture says that practicing this way for one hundred days can “transform the bones and change the form.” After one year, one can see through things, regain youth, and ride the clouds as an immortal; one need only wait. Each time, after taking Qi and swallowing saliva at the appointed hour, write the “Jade Infant Spirit-Transformation Talisman” in cinnabar on bamboo membrane, make it into a pill, and swallow it with saliva. Visualize your own spirit as an infant, residing in the Dantian. After two years, visualize it in the heart; after three years, visualize it in the Mudball Palace, the cultivation site within the crown of the head, and practice this together with the “Inner Audience” described earlier. After three years, you can divide your form at will, with transformations of endless subtlety. Your innate Qi and saliva will also circulate and transform accordingly. After three years, “Fire responds and Water comes to pay court, in harmony with Heaven and Earth…”

Change in concert with Yin-Yang, the sun, and the moon, and accord with the creative transformations of Heaven and Earth. After nine years of cultivation, the Divine Generals of the Five Directions and Five Elders descend to welcome the practitioner, who can then ascend to Heaven in broad daylight.

The Master said: Among Heaven and Earth there are sages, who attain the Dao (the Way); there are worthy people, who attain its methods; and there are the wise, who attain its techniques. All of these arise when True Qi gathers the essence of Heaven and Earth. The Dao cannot be sought through words, methods cannot be attained through feelings and thoughts, and techniques cannot be achieved through intention alone. All things come into being by following the transformations of Heaven and Earth, and ultimately return to nature.

Diagram of Water and Fire

Talisman for the Divine Transformation of the Jade Infant (a talisman used in the Jade Infant’s divine transformation). The text and divine names on the talisman include: Jade Infant Taiyi; Heavenly Worthy of Embryonic Transformation; Primordial Qi of the Mystery; Heavenly Lords of the Three Treasures; Qian Spirit; Kun Mother; Kun Li; Qian Spirit; Proclamation of the Void Sovereign; The Jade Embryo Divides into Forms; The Nine Qi Shine Forth; Blending and Generation; Primordial Qi of the Nine Heavens; The Embryo Gestates and Attains Reality. The remaining talismanic text conveys this general meaning: Heaven and Earth are clear and tranquil; the valley’s sound breaks through; the Nine Heavens reveal their true form; the Yang soul gathers spirit; the seven Po souls guard the inner palace, ascending to pay court in the Three Heavens and descending to the Nine Springs. Once the rite is complete, return to Wuwei (non-action), taking the decree of the Divine Worthy Taiyi as authority.

Opening the Three Luminaries

The Master said: The Lingbao tradition has a method of cultivation called “Opening the Three Luminaries.” Every day at sunrise, calm the mind and face the sun, then recite the “Incantation of Yu Yi”:

“Solar soul, Vermilion Radiance: shine through, conceal, and reflect green; returning rosy clouds, Red Child; mysterious flames, whirling forms.”

After reciting it, inhale through the nose the purple radiance of sunlight and swallow it eighty-one times.

When the moon first rises, calm the mind and face the moon, then recite the “Incantation of Jie Lin”:

“Lunar soul, misty and still; fragrant beauty veils the void; in the empty realm, numinous orchids; luxuriant blossoms entwine and rise; pure gold, clear and radiant; luminous forms mark the terrace.”

After reciting it, inhale through the nose the yellow breath of moonlight and swallow it one hundred and twenty times.

As the Xu hour draws to a close at the start of the night, gaze upward at the Northern Dipper and recite the secret names of its seven stars: “Kui, Gui, Yu, Xing, Bi, Si, Piao.” After reciting them, inhale through the mouth the golden radiance of the seven stars and swallow it forty-nine times. Then take the “Central Origin Talisman of the Three Luminaries for Primordial Radiance and True Illumination,” a talisman associated with the numinous lights of the sun, moon, and Northern Dipper. Use the inner membrane of bamboo as talisman paper, write on it with cinnabar, make it into a pill, and swallow it with saliva. Do not take the solar talisman after noon; do not take the lunar talisman before the first quarter or after the last quarter; and do not take the Dipper talisman on days of Chen or Xu.

Qi (breath and primordial energy) can restore Jing and Qi, renewing the body’s vitality as though it were still in the womb, so that a person grows young again. Once the breathing is regulated, many illnesses can be cured through the adjustment of intention. A hundred demons will bow their heads and withdraw, while Jade Maidens—protective spirits in Daoism—will guard the practitioner. There is no need to wait for ascension: after three years of cultivation, one can receive an immortal register and become a Perfected of the Three Luminaries.

The True Talisman of Mysterious Radiance of the Three Luminaries of the Central Origin

The master said: The Three Luminaries talismans embody the pure Qi of the three lights—the sun, moon, and stars—and are orthodox talismans of the Shangqing school. They are all written in cinnabar on yellow paper. Men take the Yuyi talisman; women take the Jielin talisman. If someone has been infected by evil spirits or demonic Qi, they take the Central Origin Dipper-Shaped talisman. When an illness is critical, the three talismans are combined into one and swallowed. It is said that this can restore the body’s vitality, renew the skin, make the face young again, and even transform the bones. Taken over a long period, the talismans can bring longevity and ascension.

Yuyi Talisman

Visualize the talisman’s outline as square and its image as round, radiating nine purple rays. Circle to the left nine times. (The vermilion radiance of the Sun Soul: visualize the sun’s soul as a vermilion radiance; form the mudra by pressing the upper section of the middle finger, and draw on the Qi of the Li trigram.)

Jielin Talisman

Visualize the talisman’s outline as square and its image as round, radiating ten white rays. Circle to the right ten times. (The moon’s soul in its hazy, cloudlike aspect: visualize the moon’s soul in this form; form the mudra by pressing the upper section of the fourth finger, and draw on the Qi of the Qian trigram.)

Central Origin Dipper Shape

Form the mudra in the order of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper: Kui, Gui, Yu, Xing, Bi, Si, and Piao. When forming the mudra at the Chen position, determine the direction occupied by the star according to the season: the winter solstice corresponds to the Xu position, and the summer solstice to the Hai position.

Combining the Forms

Combine the solar talisman with the lunar talisman. Work out the details using the star calendar, and use them on the corresponding number of days.

Refining and Taking in the Three Lights

The master said: Each day at sunrise, form the Jade Emperor mudra with both hands, press the palms together, and face the sun. Recite the Sun Lord’s incantation:

“Spirit of Yuyi, true essence of the Li Palace; imbibe the nine rays; Qian origin, beneficial and steadfast.”

When you have finished reciting, inhale through the nose and swallow the breath in nine portions, directing it in your mind to the Dan Yuan, the region of the Dantian within the body. Repeat about eighteen or twenty-seven times, gradually increasing the number until you reach eighty-one. Then recite:

“Om, Yuyi, hua, zhu, yu, zhen, yuan, hui, fu, li, luo, wen, li, suo, he.”

After reciting, inhale and swallow the breath as before.

Next, when the moon rises, form the Jade Emperor mudra with both hands, press the palms together, and face the moon. Recite the Moon Lady’s incantation:

“Lady Jielin, true essence of the Kan position; round radiance of eight rays; good fortune and prosperity.”

When you have finished reciting, inhale through the nose and swallow the breath in eight portions, directing it in your mind to the Dan Yuan. Repeat about sixty-four times. Then recite:

“Om, Jielin, yin, zhi, heng, lan, fu, ming, luo, bo, luo, suo, he.”

After reciting, inhale and swallow the breath as before. As for the waxing moon, after the ninth day…

On the sixteenth and seventeenth days of the waning moon, when the lunar month is passing from full toward its last quarter, wait until the stars appear before gathering Qi (vital energy)—that is, taking in the Qi envisioned during meditation. Form the “Jade Emperor Hand Seal,” join your palms, and face Tiangang, the position of the Northern Dipper’s celestial pole. Recite the Tiangang incantation:

“Om, spirit who commands; true essence of the Dipper’s pole, streaming with the radiance of seven rays. Hum zha bo ning.”

When you finish, inhale through the nose and swallow the breath in seven portions, mentally guiding it downward to Danyuan, the area of the lower Dantian (energy center). Practice this about forty-nine times. Then recite:

“Om hum hum, mi li nu na po luo xiu li, om zha li hum.”

When you finish, gather and swallow the breath again as before. Practice only during the hours of Xu and Hai, approximately seven to eleven in the evening, and not at other times.

This method belongs to “Refining the Form with the Three Lights,” which cultivates the body by means of the Qi of the sun, moon, and stars. Do not practice in rainy or overcast weather. After taking in the Three Lights, click your teeth nine times, then withdraw.

Taking the Three Lights Talisman

The master said: On the third, seventh, thirteenth, seventeenth, twenty-third, and twenty-seventh days of each month, form the Dipper Hand Seal, face Tianmen (the Gate of Heaven), and walk the Northern Dipper steps. Turn to face south, take the Three Lights Talisman, and recite the three secret names of the Supreme Lord:

“Qi of the hidden cavern, Heaven’s mandate endures; people are ever at peace.”

When you finish, bow again, then swallow the talisman with fresh water. Bow once more and recite the general incantation:

“Ancient Dao, mysterious and true; radiant, august spirit. Yuyi returns to substance; Yinghuo governs form. Red radiance shines in harmony; regulate and restrain the numinous powers. Radiance illuminates the ancestral lineage; the Emperor’s light shines anew. The brilliance of Wu and Ji, the central star that steadies all. Sweep away evil Qi; destroy licentious essences. When the sea is encountered, it boils; when gold is encountered, it melts; when wood is encountered, it is reduced to ashes; when fire is encountered, it is emptied. Master of Changli, command and govern all that flies. Mi li nu na, om om hum hum. Azure Youth of the Eastern Sea, encompass and marshal all. Mi li nu na, om om hum hum.”

When you finish, envision the Qi of the Three Lights pouring into the Three Fields—the upper, middle, and lower Dantian. Use this same incantation for the nine talismans.

Jade Clarity Heaven’s Sun-Soul Pearl-Nurturing Purple-Mist True Talisman

The words written on the talisman are: “Heaven and Earth / Humanity”; “Command long / life”; “Hong holds the mirrorless void / gathers form and shapes appearance”; “Ancient Dao, mysterious and true / radiant, august spirit”; “The Emperor orders the highest truth / Yinghuo governs form”; “Crown and sash / nine rays”; “The Emperor’s weight / radiant light.”

When writing this talisman, face northeast and recite the one-word incantation of the Three Lights: “Yuli zhen.” Recite it three times, inhale three breaths, and direct the intention of the breath into the writing brush as you write.

Then recite:

“Spirit of Yuyi, true essence of the Li Palace; pour in and imbibe the nine rays. The primal force of Heaven brings benefit and fulfillment.”

Imagine that purple light fills your body and divides into nine streams. At its center is a radiant youth, like the rising sun and shaped like a wheel. Silently recite a three syllable incantation nine times, guiding the breath into the Dantian (the lower abdomen, where internal alchemical cultivation takes place).

Then let the breath rise from the Dantian and blow outward onto the talisman. Visualize purple light winding around it. This talisman is called the “Jade Clarity Heaven Moon Soul Ninefold Spirit Perfecting Reality Talisman.”

The talisman’s text includes: “Jing and Qi, Shen”; “Command long life”; “Red Radiance, Harmony and Yang; govern and restrain, mighty spirit”; “Primordial Carrier”; “Kong Sheng”; “Brilliant Essence of Wu and Ji”; “Saluo Lou Wang, bind the Hun and restrain the Po.”

When writing the talisman, face northeast and recite the three syllable incantation “Jie Heng Kan.” Recite it three times, inhaling three times with each recitation and placing the breath into the talisman; then begin writing.

Next, recite: “Lady Jielin, true essence of the Kan position, rounded radiance with eight rays, auspicious and prosperous, primordial success.”

Then imagine white light filling your body and dividing into ten streams. In the light is a radiant Jade Maiden, like the rising moon and shaped like crystal. Silently recite a three syllable incantation three times, guiding the breath into the Dantian.

Then let the breath rise from the Dantian and blow outward onto the talisman. Visualize white light winding around it. This talisman is called the “Jade Clarity Heavenly Dipper True Qi, Mysterious Essence Secret Talisman.”

The talisman’s text includes: “Sun, Moon, and Stars”; “Command and unite with the True”; “Emptiness and Nonbeing, upright constellation; radiant and luminous, ancestral fluttering”; “Purple Pole”; “Circling”; “The Emperor’s fortune above the Mysterious”; “The Emperor summons the true youth, nurturing the Nine Prosperities in winding succession”; “Oversee all under Heaven”; “Bright Brahma vault”; “Might governs the administration of Heaven; floating net joins the spirits”; “Nayu Chouying, the honored one in Heaven.”

When writing this talisman, face the Dipper direction, where the Northern Dipper lies, and recite the three syllable incantation “Om Hung Zha.” Recite it three times, inhaling three times with each recitation and placing the breath into the talisman, then begin writing. At the same time, recite the revered titles that govern the Mysterious True and the Mighty Honored One.

Next, recite: “Om, spirit of the command, true essence of the Dipper’s Pole, flowing radiance with seven rays; Hung Zha, swiftly congeal.”

Close your eyes, raise your head, and visualize the Dipper stars above your crown. Draw in azure Qi and imagine an official youth within the breath. Then divide the breath into six streams and blow them into the talisman.

The following is the talismanic text of the “Numinous Writ that Gathers Qi through Jade Sounds”:

The ancestral Dao is mysteriously true, its upright spirits blaze in glory;

Yuyi returns to its substance, while Yinghuo takes form;

Red Radiance, Harmony and Yang, govern and restrain, mighty spirit;

Radiant and luminous, ancestral fluttering, the Emperor’s doubled brightness;

Brilliant Essence of Wu and Ji, the central Zhenxing star;

Sweep away evil Qi, destroy licentious essences.

This ritual is carried out by visualizing lights of different colors, stars, and deities, alongside incantations, breath regulation, and talisman writing. The Dantian, the Dipper direction, and Fulu (talismans and registers) relate respectively to internal cultivation, stellar orientation, and ritual writing.

When seawater meets it, the water boils; when metal meets it, the metal melts; when wood meets it, the wood turns to ash; and when fire meets it, the fire disappears.

The Lord of Changli, the deity who governs the South and is associated with fire, commands the traces of flight. Mi-li-nu-na, om om hum hum.

The Azure Youth of the Eastern Sea, the immortal child deity of the Eastern Sea, gathers and governs all affairs. Mi-li-nu-na, om om hum hum.

The Master said: At sunrise, face the sun and first clearly visualize the five internal organs in your mind. Then face the sun, silently recite the numinous verse and jade tone—the incantation or formula referred to here—regulate your breathing, and exhale once. Next, place your mouth toward the sunlight and draw it in nine times, then recite the invocation once. Close your eyes and slowly take a long breath through your nose, silently counting nine times, then swallow the Qi. Visualize the sun’s purple light transforming into nine rays, descending into the Dantian (energy center) and coalescing into the image of the sun. Practice in the morning, as often as possible; do not practice in the afternoon.

Continue until the night of the third day of the month, when the moon has just risen. Following the method for gathering the sun’s Qi, close your eyes, inhale through your nose, and swallow the Qi ten times. Visualize the moon’s white light transforming into ten rays, descending into the Dantian; also visualize the moon’s image, and unite it with the sun. After the twenty-third day, stop gathering the moon’s Qi. Practice gathering the moon’s Qi and the sun’s Qi a combined total of ten thousand times.

In spring, first gather the Qi belonging to Wood; in summer, gather the Qi belonging to Fire; in autumn, gather the Qi belonging to Metal; and in winter, gather the Qi belonging to Water. When Earth’s Qi is flourishing in each of the four seasons, also gather the Qi of the corresponding color from each direction. Accumulate ten thousand repetitions for each kind. Five times each month, follow the method in the Dongzhang to gather the purple Qi of the Northern Dipper, accumulating ten thousand repetitions. This is called the “Outer Attendant Eight-Jade Elixir.”

After one thousand repetitions, numinous light will appear and vanish around the moon at night. After two thousand, the body will shine; after three thousand, the whole room will be filled with light. After four thousand, old and recent illnesses, lingering sores, and chronic ailments will all be eliminated, and the complexion will return to that of an infant. After five thousand, the Earth Bureau, which governs the underworld, will erase your name from the register of the dead, and the Jade Clarity Heaven will grant you a register of life; a hundred numinous officials will protect you. After six thousand, the whole body will shine, its light reaching a hundred paces; at night you will be able to read fine print, ghosts and spirits will have nowhere to hide, and you will be able to foresee the future. After seven thousand, your exhalation will revive all things, even bringing the dead back to life. After eight thousand, by breathing out and reciting an incantation, you will be able to turn the five metals into precious treasures, shining like the complete celestial form. After nine thousand, the elixir will be finished, bright as the sun; your face will take on an immortal’s golden hue, your bones will be refined in form, and the Three Heavens—the celestial realms of Daoist teaching—will bestow the Five Fragrances. After ten thousand, your Daoist attainment will be complete and you will rank among the Perfected.

Turn inward in homage to the Golden Towers of the Three Heavens; summon the Perfected and call upon the spirits.

The Master said: The Great Method contains ways to summon the Perfected and call upon the spirits, as well as the subtle principles by which Qi circulates and generates all things, and by which true spirits ascend, descend, and transform. Through the use of breath, one can sit calmly and command countless myriads of Perfected, with nothing beyond one’s reach. First bring about transformation within yourself, then put it into motion throughout the ten thousand directions, setting it in motion…

Bring the natural Qi (vital energy) into harmony, opening and revealing the Three Scenes—the three levels of heaven in Daoist teaching—and setting the vast Brahma Qi flowing through the ten directions, bringing forth the mysteries of creation and transformation. This Dao is profound and beyond measure. It lies above the distant Great Luo Heaven and is the Way of Ten Revolutions, by which numinous Qi turns and transforms.

To seek this Dao outwardly is like climbing a tree to catch fish: it only wastes one’s spirit and original Qi. Those who study the Way of the immortals must cultivate inwardly and refine outwardly. Whether they seek to aid the manifest world or deliver souls from the underworld, they must begin here. First, submit a memorial to the Heavenly Court and request its descent. Then, in the heart, pay homage to the heavenly gates of the Three Scenes, ascend in flight, and pay audience to the perfected immortals and imperial lords. This is the efficacy of employing the spirit and joining with the Great Dao.

Whether praying for the state and its people to avert calamities, seeking aid and deliverance, refining and liberating the souls of the dead, or conducting a Yellow Register Grand Retreat—a major Daoist purification ritual—one should present memorials and petitions, and pray for grace and life. In all such cases, recite inwardly the profound texts of prayer and response; do not let this great opportunity slip away.

To perform this method, observe purification, bathe, and enter a quiet chamber. Settle the spirit and regulate the breath. Sitting or kneeling, first refine the Six Officials within the body, open upward the Eight Gates—the inner passages to heaven—and set the Three Palaces within the body in motion. Then open the inner gates below. Regulate and stir the Five Qi, bringing the hundred spirits together. Next, ascend the golden bridge of the long rainbow to deliver living beings far and wide, and arrive at the Dipper Court in the Central Heaven. From there, ascend the bridge and proceed directly to the Three Heavens. This method may also be used to pay homage to the Three Treasures, the emperors of the Nine Heavens, the Three Palaces and Five Masters, the Great One, and the revered master of the Southern Pole.

In this way, the wondrous response and the Way of the Numinous Treasure can quickly become manifest. The practice as a whole centers on refining the spirit and original Qi, reciting the texts, and paying audience. It enables those who cultivate the Way to enter the ranks of the immortal officials and serve the perfected immortals in the Golden Palace. To act recklessly and without restraint is only to mislead the underworld and the human world, diminish one’s lifespan, and incur punishment under the precepts of the esoteric methods. The relevant prohibitions are set down in their proper rules, and those who transmit forbidden teachings will also incur guilt.

The instructions say: circulate the true Qi from the Dantian (energy center) up to the Crimson Palace, then onward to the Bright Hall, and gaze up toward the Three Heavens. Begin with the Azure Tenuity Heaven in the east, and ascend through transformation to present a memorial, following the ritual procedure. When the rite is complete, the myriad spirits return to their proper places. First recite silently the Secret Chapter of the Jade Clarity Descent of the Perfected and Ascent to the Origin. When finished, hold and uphold the true talismans of the Three Heavens and Three Realms. Then recite silently the Secret Chapter of the Inner Audience at the Golden Palace.

Secret Chapter of the Jade Clarity Descent of the Perfected and Ascent to the Origin:

The jade talisman of Highest Clarity summons all numinous beings. Its numinous light shines everywhere, illuminating the Three Realms. The jade talisman descends in flight and joins with the imperial court. Your servant now submits a petition and ascends to the Jade Clarity Heaven. The clouds and rosy mists carry the memorial upward; not a moment may be lost. It rises directly to the Jade Palace, joining with the Great Dao. Hasten in accordance with the decree of the Jade Clarity Supreme Emperor.

Instructions for the Ten Heavens:

Circulate the true Qi from the Highest Clarity realm, inviting the perfected numinous beings to descend and summoning the talismans and registers of the Numinous Treasure. The talismans and registers take flight; clouds of smoke and rosy mists spread their colors, like brocade and rosy clouds, illuminating the Three Heavens from above to below. Before one’s eyes appear golden towers and jade halls adorned with the Seven Treasures, arranged in solemn array and shining upon one another. Then, once more, Jade Clarity rises from within the Three Palaces…

Silently recite the formula inside the furnace, and myriads upon myriads of gods will descend together.

Secret Chapter on the Inner Court of the Three Heavens’ Golden Gate

Taiyi of the Upper Prime (the god of the Upper Prime) dwells in the Mud Pill Palace (the divine residence in the head); the Director of Destiny of the Middle Prime (the god who governs the Middle Prime) sits in peace in the Crimson Palace (the heart’s residence). In the Palace of Life and Nurture of the Lower Prime, Wu Ying Gongzi and the Venerable Spirit Bai Yuan guard the registers of names.

Recite the Jade Chapter and summon the myriad gods to attend. With the ancestral Qi of Jade Clarity, unite with the Dao and realize the Real. The Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure descends; flying spirits rise and transform, passing through unseen, and proceed directly to pay court to Yuchen (the celestial palace). The attendants on the left and right protect and support you as you fly to the imperial court. Swiftly, swiftly, by command of the Jade Clarity Supreme Emperor!

When you have finished reciting this secret incantation, swallow saliva three times. Then circulate Qi through both armpits so that spirit and Qi converge. The golden radiance of the Dao shines forth from the two palaces, bursting into the talisman of the Three Realms. Guide it with the tongue and gaze upon the talisman; draw in the breath of Qi, then ingest the talisman.

Ingesting the Talisman of the Three Realms

The Qi of the spirits is clear and bright; rise and welcome the Three Pure Ones. The divine protectors Ding and Jia wield their swords without mercy; the Great Dao, in its naturalness, saves and delivers all beings. The Jade Talisman enters the brush; pay homage to the Utmost Real. A thousand evils lie hidden, and the forms of ten thousand ghosts are shattered. The Fire Bell, Tiangang, the White Beast, and the Metal Essence range about as protectors, fiercely guarding the Three Pure Ones. The Supreme Emperor sends down a command on a Jade Talisman to settle the body. Fierce demons and wicked forces retreat and scatter; the Qi of the Dao endures forever. Transform, ascend, and be delivered; pay court to the imperial palace. Swiftly, swiftly, by command of the Supreme Emperor Yuanshi!

Form the Ten Heavens mudra with both hands and blow out the ancestral Qi. Roll the talisman with the tongue, circulate the saliva, and swallow it. Spirit and Qi surge aloft and transform, ascending to the Thirty-Two Heavens. Then descend from your seat and receive the Real (gather the true Qi).

Incantation for Receiving the Real

The celestial spirit dwells in the Nine Palaces; Taiyi guards the palace chambers. The hundred spirits take their places, and the hun and po souls are at peace. May you live long and see far; may your lifespan shine alongside the sun and moon. Swiftly, swiftly, by the Supreme Emperor’s law and command!

The incantations above were spoken by the Golden Mouth, written down by the Sovereign Emperor, and bestowed upon the lowly practitioner. They must be cultivated and applied in accordance with their instructions to seek wondrous responses from the Dao. If you wish to refine and nourish yourself, present petitions to and pay court to the hundred spirits, and bring spirit and Qi together in luminous clarity, their radiance will shine in all ten directions. No kind of calamity will then be able to assail you, and the spirits will guard your gates.

Those who practice the rites should cultivate diligently, welcome transformation, and summon the Perfected Spirits and divine officials. When performing the highest rites, first form the Jade Clarity mudra with the right hand and the Five Peaks mudra with the left.

Silently recite three times: “Red Apricot” (Mao), “Ink Black” (Wu), “Polish the Real” (You), “Socks and Wax” (Zi), and “Numinous Treasure” (center; the text indicates a place of transformation). Then gather the Qi of the five directions, pluck it with the finger mudra without letting it disperse, and press it down with the Qi of the five directions. If you do not study the rite with full concentration, the spirits of the Five Peaks will test you. Be vigilant, be vigilant!

Azure Emperor’s Talisman for Protecting the Hun Soul

The incantation says:

The sovereign of the Five Phases—the ruler among the spirits of the Five Phases—governs the nine heavens and the four directions. Through the Qi of azure Yang, it brings forth and transforms all things. Yang Qi shines with abundant brilliance.

Flying clouds gather and congeal into talismanic script. The wind steeds, tamed and docile, soar high; clouds and mist sweep aside, revealing auspicious signs. Spring Yang brings forth life and nourishes all things.

The Wood Palace, corresponding to the Wood Phase and the liver’s divine palace, extends great benevolence and protects the liver’s Hun souls.

The talisman above can protect those who have attained the Dao, enabling the three Hun souls to become clear, lucid, and settled.

Incantation

I respectfully summon the gods of the Azure Palace, where the liver resides: Wuying, Lord Zhihun, the Lesser Yang Wood Essence, and the Qi of Jupiter. Transform your numinous Qi within the body, so that the liver may take form and its three Hun souls may dwell securely within it. May the nine Wood gods and their nine thousand divine officers swiftly descend with true Qi to nourish and guard the skin, and govern the body hair and complexion.

Incantation for treating liver illness and when the Hun and Po souls cannot remain attached to the body

The Azure Emperor protects the liver’s Hun souls, settling and guarding the Three Palaces.

The Azure Emperor talisman above is written on yellow paper, using Upper Zhen script, a kind of talismanic writing, and the Qi of the East. When swallowing or wearing it, avoid sour and pungent foods. It takes effect after nine days and is transmitted on the day of the Start of Spring. For swallowing, it may be written on two sheets of bamboo membrane; for wearing, it may be written on white silk.

Song of the Azure Emperor Talisman

Turn toward the East; with solemnly joined hands, pay reverence to the Jade Emperor Lord of the Azure Heavens. The numinous wind stirs the bellows, urging forth all things and spreading the primal Qi of spring. Cloud dragons draw the carriage as its retinue puts the procession in order; jade attendants gather around its splendid wheels.

Withered plants sprout anew and all receive blessings; great benevolence is shared equally with all. The myriad immortals sing of the Great Dao, gently admonishing those of Heaven and humanity: when the root of the heart is deluded, one becomes bound to oneself. One should pay reverent homage and receive this vast benevolence.

Red Emperor Talisman for Nurturing Qi

Incantation

The Qi of the Five Phases moves in sequence, and the breaths of the lung channels flow freely. The sun travels, turning the dark pearl; its radiance moves across Huafeng. The Three Palaces rise and descend, coming and going without end. Yang Qi shines with abundant brilliance, and all things grow from it. The Purple Chamber, where the heart spirit resides, blends and harmonizes; the nine Hun souls are refined to purity. Clad in vermilion, they reveal a cinnabar hue and ascend to the Xiaoren Shitai. Blood and Qi flow freely, returning to the Fire Court in the manner of embryonic breathing.

The talisman above governs the Fire Phase and can nourish the original Qi. The Yellow Emperor said, “Violent fire Qi depletes Qi; only gentle fire Qi can generate it. Through receiving warmth and nourishment, the original Qi can be nurtured.”

Incantation

I respectfully summon the gods of the Crimson Palace, where the heart resides: Lord Taiyi Siming, the Solar Fire Essence, and the Qi of Mars. Transform your numinous Qi within the body, so that the heart may take form. A jade boy dwells on the left and a jade maiden on the right. May the three Fire gods and their three thousand attendants govern within the Heart Palace, nourish and protect its halls, and preside over the Hun and Po souls.

Incantation for treating heart illness and insufficient strength

The Red Emperor nourishes the original Qi; the assembled gods return to the body.

The Red Emperor talisman above is written in cinnabar on black paper, using Wu script and the Qi of the South. When swallowing or wearing it, avoid bitter foods. It can cure the condition in three days and is transmitted on the day of the Start of Summer. For swallowing, it may be written on two sheets of bamboo membrane; for wearing, it may be written on yellow silk.

Song of the Red Emperor Talisman

The Great Radiance opens the Jade Pivot Hall of the Cavern, a sacred Daoist sanctuary, and opens the Golden Gate. The Qian tree, a divine tree in the realm of immortals, casts its shade over steps of precious jade.

Red luan birds tread upon pearl-like jewels. The treasured chamber is called “Qu Li Ming Dang”; it is where the spirits dwell.

Flying freely, one finds the cloud path suddenly opening wide. Gazing into the distance, one can see the True Capital, the immortal realm where the perfected ones reside. There the days are long, and night never comes.

Layers of mist shroud the blue-green dwellings. The heavenly edicts and seals are unsealed, and scriptures and documents are laid out upon a cypress desk.

To assist the cultivation of the Dao and establish its mysterious teachings: its grace is profound and truly without end.

Talisman for the White Emperor to Attend the Po

The incantation says:

White primordial Qi mingles within chaos. The spirits of the Three Qi, the three primordial energies that make up all things in Heaven and Earth, exhale blue-green Qi and take in dark Qi, causing them to flow through my body.

The sunlight and the seasons turn; the yin souls drift unsettled like floating things. Let the yin souls return to yang Qi, refine and subdue the Seven Corpse Demons—the seven yin forces said to disturb body and mind—and summon the myriad spirits to come attend and welcome me.

Metal Qi shines forth, preserving my clarity and numinous brightness.

This talisman is used to attend to the seven Po souls of one who has attained the Dao—the seven souls that constitute the body’s spiritual activity—so that they do not scatter, and to keep the ghostly realm at bay.

The incantation says:

Reverently summon the lungs, the Plain Palace, their divine abode. Summon the Lord of White Origin who Nourishes the Po, the Metal Essence of Lesser Yin, and the Qi of Great White. Take them into the body and let them transform within, generating the seven Po souls of the lungs and settling them there. Let the seven Metal spirits and their seven thousand attendants govern the body, nourish and protect the sinews and bones, and take charge of the teeth.

Incantation for Treating Lung Illness and Disorder of the Hun and Po

The White Emperor guards the Hun and Po, refining and subduing yin forces.

Face west and, following the ritual for the Dui direction, blow onto the talisman. Then swallow it or wear it on your person. For seven days, avoid bitter foods; for three days, avoid pungent foods.

In this way, the Hun and Po will settle in the lungs. Receive this talisman on the day of the Beginning of Autumn. To swallow it, write the talisman on four pieces of bamboo membrane; to wear it, write it on purple silk.

Song of the White Emperor’s Talisman

The Six Jia spirits protect the Metal Gate, while the Seven Luminaries—the Sun, Moon, and five planets—guard the numinous altar. Flowing bells cast forth firelight, transforming into a mighty sword and great dragon banners. We beseech that pure and luminous spirit to descend, to discern clearly and judge fairly. Who would dare trespass?

Forever subdue demons, ghosts, and devils, driving them away into the bitter cold winds high in the sky. Once the evil Qi has been quelled, the myriad heavens will soon return to peace. Companions who have attained the Dao receive protection; they bow their heads in celebration, singing with joy.

Talisman for the Black Emperor to Open the Blood Channels

The incantation says:

Primordial essence within chaos; the wondrous changes of the celestial forms flow freely. Primordial Qi gathers within the vast expanse of the primordial beginning. The True Origin is vast and boundless, coursing through the body’s three palaces. The Five Black Emperors ride flying dragons; their balanced and harmonious mystery has neither form nor substance, and the Supreme Dao extends without end.

This talisman is used to nourish those who have attained the Dao, opening their blood channels and invigorating the whole body.

The Black Emperor is the Great Profound Water Emperor. In the human body, water corresponds to blood.

The incantation says:

Reverently summon the kidneys, the Mysterious Palace, their divine abode. Summon the Lord of Peach Kang who Unites Essence, the Water Essence of Great Yin, and the Qi of Chenxing. Take them into the body and let them transform within, generating kidney Qi. Place a Jade Lad on the left and a Jade Maiden on the right. Let the five Water spirits and their five thousand attendants govern the kidneys, nourish and protect the body, and strengthen the bones and blood channels.

It governs the life essence and Qi of human beings.

Incantation for Treating Kidney Disease and Deficiency of Qi and Blood

The Black Emperor, northern deity of Water, opens and regulates the blood vessels, making the Water of the kidneys clear and calm.

This is the Kan script, associated with the north and with Water. After inhaling Qi from the north, you may wear the talisman on your body. For five days, avoid sour foods. This will strengthen Qi, replenish the blood, and bring kidney disease under control. Receive the talisman on the day of the Beginning of Winter. To swallow it, write the talisman on a sheet of bamboo membrane; to wear it, write it on blue silk.

Song of the Black Emperor Talisman

The formless Dao governs all things with form. Profound indeed—this is the intention of the Lord on High. When the Dao does not set things in motion, nothing can appear. The subtle principle contained in the Dao, the process by which things take shape, is profound and unfathomable.

The only fear is that your practice may not yet be complete while your thoughts sink into hidden, selfish desires, leaving you unable to master yourself. The cycles of rebirth turn without end; the sea of suffering has no shore, and it is easy to lose the Great Dao and search for it everywhere. For a long time, you must keep to disciplined restraint. Once you sink into ruin, you will vanish like smoke. If you lose the Way of balanced harmony and fall into the realm of ghosts, disaster will descend, with consequences too grave to bear.

Talisman of the Yellow Emperor, Central Ruler

Incantation:

At the beginning, when all was dark and undifferentiated, the forms of things began to unfold. In the Three Heavens, the realm of Great Being gathers and governs the central land. The round image of Heaven appears in the Yellow Palace, and the sovereign’s blessings endure without end. The Qi of the Three Yangs stirs the force of life, bringing the ease and brightness of spring.

This talisman can guard the central palace and command the myriad spirits. Applied to oneself, it means this: the liver stores the Hun, and the lungs store the Po. The two Qi in the Crimson Palace, where the heart resides, and the Dantian join; the red Qi descends, and the Dark Spring—the name for the kidneys’ vital essence—rises. The heart stores blood, and the kidneys store essence. Their two breaths circulate back and forth, nourishing one another. Within the Yellow Court, the spirit’s awareness resides.

Incantation:

With reverence, summon the spleen spirit and make it the Ever-Transforming Spirit Lord of the Yellow Court. Take the essence of Earth into the body; it forms the spleen, which occupies the position of Earth. Twelve Earth spirits lead twelve thousand attendants; the spirits of radiant essence number thirty-six thousand. The spirits of the body’s pores receive numinous Qi, so that the myriad Qi may endure. The hundred spirits converge, and the hidden depths within and without join together. Return to embryonic breathing and become like an infant once more; ascend to pay court to the Emperor.

Incantation for Treating Spleen Disease, Forgetfulness, Loss of Spirit, Emaciation, and Unease with Food

The Yellow Emperor, Central Ruler, commands the myriad spirits, keeping each in its proper place and forbidding any to overstep.

This is a Chinese talisman. After inhaling Qi from above, you may wear it on your body. For twelve days, avoid sour foods; for another five days, eat sweet foods. This will bring stability, strengthen Qi, and cure spleen disease. Receive the talisman on a day when the Qi of Earth is strong. To swallow it, write it on five sheets of bamboo membrane; to wear it, write it on yellow silk and tie it with crimson silk.

Song of the Yellow Emperor Talisman

All the Heavens turn toward the central throne and bow in homage, as it rides the source of jade transformation. The pivot of movement runs through countless cycles of time; clear and penetrating, it opens the gates in all four directions. The realm of Great Being joins with the true origin of Chaos and commands the souls of the constellations. Without the movement of the Imperial Dao, nothing would have anything to depend on; the order of all things relies on the Imperial Dao to endure.

When its authority thunders, it is like the killing frost of autumn; when it is gentle and tranquil, it is warm as spring. It holds the fundamental laws by which all things come into being, and depends upon and receives this boundless grace.